Kentucky Derby: Golden Soul gets chance to prove he belongs

Golden Soul still needs a rider for the Kentucky Derby. One possibility is Robby Albarado.

Dallas Stewart doesn’t much care about all the dominoes that had to fall for Golden Soul to finally make it into the Kentucky Derby field. All along, Stewart has trained the colt as if a Derby run was next on the agenda, and now that that’s happening, it’s up to Golden Soul to prove he belongs.

“He’s a nice, nice colt,” said Stewart, the former longtime assistant to D. Wayne Lukas who went on his own in 1997. “He finished up well against some good ones down at Fair Grounds. Plus I believe he’s improving and loves this racetrack.”

Golden Soul competed in all three preps in New Orleans, running a distant second in the LeComte, sixth in the Risen Star, and fourth in the Louisiana Derby.

A late-striding chestnut, Golden Soul is the second homebred in the race owned by Charles Fipke, the diamond magnate from far western Canada who also bred and owns Java’s War.

Stewart said Tuesday he was unsure who would get to ride Golden Soul, although he has maintained for several days that Robby Albarado could get the mount.

“We’re still talking,” he said some 24 hours before entries were to be taken. “Even if it’s not Robby, he’s won more big races for me than anybody. We’ll send the horse out there with confidence regardless of who’s up.”

thanx for the info. unfortunately, it's a 20 horse field with very zero crazy speed.
it's a jock race. if anyone can ride churchill, it's albarado.

L.S. Heatherly

More than 1 year ago

Congratuations to the owner, Fipke, to the trainer, Stewart, to Golden Soul, as well as all
those responsible for training and caring for this remarkable horse.
Having studied the re-runs of his 1st race at CD, and his 2nd at Fairgrounds(and other 3 ), Golden Soul will do all connections proud in his future races.
1. He had to pause during the run in his 1st race. Without that trouble in the race, he would have, I think, won by 2-3 lengths. He still scored a CD track fig of 87-19 (=106 in Nov)
2. In his 2nd , he was "eager" at 2 off the pace. When turned loose he cleared and
drew off, winning with a FG track figure of 82-21 in late December. He could have ran
that one faster also. He had 3 troubles races after that. If he gets a good trip and returns to his first 2 race's form and quickness, he can get anything from 1st to 4th. I am putting $2 to win, and putting him under my other favorite 4 horses in this Derby.
3. Both horses he beat came back to win their next race!
Goof luck to the connections and Golden Soul,
L.S. Heatherly